By Carole Howard | PREVIEW Columnist, and the library staff
We all know how people’s habits are shifting from DVDs and CDs to other entertainment avenues like streaming. With tastes evolving, the Friends of the Library have noticed major changes in what sells and what does not sell at their annual major summer book sale and at their pop-up sales.
As a result, they have announced new guidelines for what they will accept as donations from now on:
• They want popular fiction books published in 2013 or later, nonfiction books published 2018 or later, and children’s and young adult books — all in excellent condition, please.
• They do not want CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray, VHS or cassette tapes, or textbooks, outdated travel books or reference books.
• They cannot accept more than two boxes at a time because of space constraints.
The Friends are grateful for your generous donations, but ask that you follow these new guidelines so that they do not need to dispose of materials that will not sell.
Also, a reminder that we ask you leave only magazines published within the last 12 months on the free magazine rack in the front entry. There are no age rules for mass media paperbacks also available free in the entry.
Friends’ pop-up book sale Oct. 21
Save the date of Saturday, Oct. 21, for the next Friends of the Library pop-up book sale in the library’s large meeting room from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. These book sales offer you great bargains and benefit your library with funds for much-needed projects and services. Friends members and teachers with ID will receive a “buy one, get one” special.
Three more solar
eclipse events
Home-school kids in grades two through five are invited to learn about solar eclipses today, Thursday, Oct. 12, from 11 a.m. to noon as you build your own eclipse viewer at this free session.
We also have two free all-ages events for the solar eclipse. Tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 13, from 1 to 3 p.m., join us to build your own solar system mobile. All supplies will be provided.
Then, on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., come to the solar eclipse watch party, where we’ll view the sun from the library garden courtyard. Pick up special glasses at your library now while supplies last.
Lifelong Learning
lectures
Every Thursday through Nov. 9, our free fall Lifelong Learning series offers talented speakers talking about a wide variety of interesting topics.
Today, Oct. 12, features Connie Cook, deputy chief of the Pagosa Springs Medical Center’s EMS (Emergency Medical Services) unit, explaining its many services to our community.
Oct. 19 will focus on communicating with sexual abuse survivors using trauma-informed responses. It will be led by Kathleen Davis, BSN-RN, and is offered to both the public and professionals.
On Oct. 26, Dr. Janice McIntyre and Santos Ocanas will talk about Ruby’s Writers Guild, the weekly writers support group that meets every Thursday morning at your library.
On Nov. 2 Donna Wynn will discuss Upper San Juan Search and Rescue, which trains and organizes volunteers in search, rescue and other emergency services.
Nov. 9 will showcase the Project Healing Waters fly-fishing program for disabled veterans and wounded warriors with Paul Wilson, the program lead, a retired wildlife biologist.
Pick up a brochure with more details at your library or go to https://pagosalibrary.org/adult services. Note no registration is required.
Activities calendars
Pick up monthly events calendars at the library so you don’t miss any of the free activities available to you and your family.
Virtual author talks
Our highly popular virtual author talks continue this month with two more opportunities for you to interact with New York Times bestselling authors with an opportunity to ask questions. For details and to register, go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming.
On Wednesday, Oct. 18, at noon we’ll interact with Ruth Ware, British author of psychological thrillers like “The It Girl” and “The Woman in Cabin 10.”
On Thursday, Oct. 26, at 5 p.m. we’ll meet with John Irving, Academy Award-winning author of multiple bestsellers including “A Prayer for Owen Meany” and “The Cider House Rules,” five of which have become movies.
Nature program for kids
Little Explorers aged 1-5 will explore the outdoors Friday, Oct.13, from 10 to 11 a.m.
Legal clinic tomorrow
This month’s legal clinic on civil issues is by appointment tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 13, from 2 to 3 p.m. Come to the library to meet privately via Zoom with our volunteer attorney. To schedule an appointment, at the beginning of the month send an email titled “Sign-up for Free Legal Clinic” with your first name and phone number to ruby@pagosalibrary.org, or phone (970) 264-2209 or stop by the library.
Werewolf party tomorrow
Eclipse and Halloween in the same month? Sounds like a perfect time for werewolves. Tweens and teens are invited to enjoy werewolf crafts, games, stories and snacks at this free party Friday, Oct. 13, from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Knitting and crochet lessons
Learn to knit or crochet on Monday, Oct. 16, at our free gathering from 2 to 3:15 p.m. for ages 8 and up. Supplies are provided. Note the new day and time.
Music fun Monday
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, for amateur musicians who would like a safe, supportive, non-bar setting to play, sing or both with other people. Anyone under age 18 is welcome with a signed parental permission, available at your library. For program information, contact Susan at (970) 946-3396 (not the library).
Tween/teen art camp
Monday art classes from 4 to 6 p.m. for teens and tweens will explore a different style or medium. This month it is fiber arts with Linda Lutomski teaching basic weaving and string art. Registration is required.
Adult DIY
At the free adult DIY next Tuesday, October 17 from 1-2:30 p.m., you will experience watercolor painting with local artist Catrinka. All supplies provided.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, Oct. 17, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. No minimum skill level is needed. Note this group now meets twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays.
Elementary tutoring
sessions
Children ages 6-11 are welcome at these free sessions every Wednesday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., where they will build essential skills in core subjects. Preregistration is required.
Family storytimes
Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m., join us for a free educational hour of reading, singing and free play to build early literacy skills.
Writers’ support group
Thursdays from 9 to 11 a.m., Ruby’s Writers Guild welcomes writers looking for opportunities, support, resources and camaraderie with other writers at this free gathering.
ESL class times
Free in-person evening classes take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and there is a change in the way the time is divided: 4 to 5 p.m. is reserved for beginners, 5 to 6 p.m. for intermediate and 6 to 7 p.m. for advanced students. Please help us spread the word about these classes to others in our community who would be interested, and contact us by phone or email if you have any questions.
Tech Time
Free in-person slots are available from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and 2 to 4 p.m. Thursdays. Judy helps you with basic questions relating to computers, smartphones and tablets, and also provides assistance in accessing any of the library’s online resources. No appointment needed for these drop-in sessions, but it is important that you bring your device’s charger with you.
PALS/GED adult
education
Join Mark or Sally for free PALS sessions Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 8 p.m. to help with high school equivalency, GED, college prep, financial aid, tutoring and more.
Downloadable books
CloudLibrary has a wide variety of downloadable e-books and audiobooks for all ages. To access this free digital collection, download the cloudLibrary app, answer a few simple questions, select AspenCat Union Catalog for the name of your library, then enter your library card number and four-digit PIN. Library staff are happy to help you set up your device if you need assistance.
DVDs
“Poker Face” is season one. “Smiling Friends” is season one. “William Shakespeare’s Three Tragedies” contains “Hamlet,” “King Lear” and “Othello” from Stratford-upon-Avon.
Books on CD
“The Longmire Defense” by Craig Johnson is a Sheriff Walt Longmire mystery. “All the Dead Shall Weep” by Charlaine Harris is the fifth book in her Gunnie Rose series that is a mix of fantasy, western and alternate history. “The Plinko Bounce” by Martin Clark is a legal thriller. “Dead Mountain” by Preston and Child is the latest in the thriller series featuring archaeologist Nora Kelly and FBI agent Corris Swanson.
Essays collection
“Faith Still Moves Mountains” is a collection of essays by Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner portraying the healing power of prayer, with newly written prayers.
Large print
“Honey Drop Dead” by Laura Childs is a Tea Shop mystery. “Fixit” by Joe Ide is an IQ mystery.
Mysteries, suspense
and thrillers
We have the 10 books by Elly Griffiths in her Dr. Ruth Gally, forensic archaeologist, crime series that includes superstition and myth, ranging from “The Crossing Places” to “The Dark Angel.”
Other novels
“More Than Honor” by Carol Ashby is the latest in the Light in the Empire post-biblical historical fiction series. “The Atlas Paradox” by Olivie Blake is the second book in a dark sci-fantasy series.
Nonfiction
“Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing” by actor Matthew Perry goes behind the scenes of his hit sitcom and addiction issues. “First & Wildest” edited by Elizabeth Hightower Allen is a collection of essays by more than a dozen writer-activists about the beauties of New Mexico’s Gila wilderness. “Stay” by Sarah Leamy mixes illustration, photography and narrative to explore the life of a British tomboy searching for her place and purpose. “Lifetimes” by Avalon Haykus is a memoir of a woman on a quest to discover her own soul. “How to Write a Grant” by Meredith Noble is the second edition of this guide to grant writing. “The Escape Artist” by Jonathan Freedland documents the escape of the first Jew from Auschwitz who accomplished the dangerous break to warn the world.
Thanks to our donors
We are grateful to Joanne Ferko for her materials donation.
When we are open, material donations are accepted for the Friends of the Library at the front desk — not down the outside returns slot at the library or the drop box at City Market, please.
The Friends take fiction published in 2013 or newer and nonfiction from 2018 or newer. Limited workroom space means we can only accept one or two small boxes at a time.
Quotable quote
“You go into other worlds and then write the music and lyrics.” – Gordon Lightfoot, Canadian singer-songwriter and acoustic guitarist, when asked how he was able to compose so many folk, rock and country music hits in an interview with Pat Rose, Canadian singer-songwriter and musical theater composer.
Website
For more information on library books, services and programs — and to reserve books, e-books, books on CD and DVDs from the comfort of your home — please visit our website at https://pagosalibrary.org.
